Starting Over.

Chapter 55 - Understanding why.

“How did it go?” Will said as we walked back out to the group.

“He likes her.” David said and Will looked surprised.

“He didn’t care she was a human?” Will whisper.

“No!” David said.

“I don’t understand?” I said looking at them.

“He’s always putting humans down for something.” Audra said.

“It’s why George is overly critical of them himself.” Will said.

“Is he just trying to upset Harmony?” David asked.

“Maybe?” Will said.

“Could he really hate her that much?” I asked.

“Yes.” They all said in unison.

“Oh there you all are! Dad says Ryan and David have to leave for a bit, but other then that, lunch is ready?” George was confused.

“He wants us to leave to mark.” David said and George looked shocked.

“So we can’t go to lunch?” I asked.

“Best if you can skip it to skip it.” Will said.

“Yes, we can have lunch somewhere else. We have Bradly tonight.” David said.

“You’re taking the kid for a entire night?” Will asked.

“He’s taking a liking to the human.” George said.

“Ryan George! Her name is Ryan!” David’s voice was slightly loud.

“Shhh! Dad will come investigate!” Will said.

“Too late! He sent me to see what was taking everyone so long.” Dennis said.

“We’re coming now.” Audra said grabbing Will’s hand.

“Also, Mr. Featherman wants me to ask Ryan to come alone to breakfast tomorrow. He’s asked me to schedule a meeting.” Dennis said.

“What?” I said confused.

“Here’s the location.” Dennis put a card in my hand with a address on the back. “Also his number. He reiterates he’ll see you both at dinner tonight, and he can’t wait.” Dennis said almost annoyed.

“Let’s go Ryan.” David grabbed my hand leading me out of the George’s house and back towards home.

“I’m confused. Why am I supposed to go alone to breakfast?” I asked.

“He did it with Audra as well. Just more getting to know you and he’ll talk about his expectations.” David said.

“His expectations?” I asked.

“Yes, when it happen for Audra. He only talked about her role in this family, The privacy clause, and starting a family. Most she wouldn’t elaborate on but it was mostly a ok talk. He wanted her only to support Will and not to work. He seem to think he needed a supporting wife. Audra took a job as our secretary with the excuse it would give her the chance to support him at work as well.” David said as we stood by his car.

“He’s going to ask me to quit my job!?” I said shocked.

“I have no clue what he’s going to ask you. That was just what he told Audra.” David sighed.

“Can we just go into the house and talk?” I asked.

“Yeah, that might be good.” David said walking to the house. I followed him and we went inside. We didn’t make it far before David stopped again.

“Are you ok?” I asked watching him.

“You don’t feel pressured to mark do you? I’m wondering what we’re going to say when we show up to dinner and it’s not done.” David said.

“I’m going to tell him I don’t want anything like that, that symbols being together forever, to be done on a whim. I would rather we make it special.” I said.

“Ok, he might buy that.” David said and I walked up and hugged him. David wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back. “Things went so well that I don’t think it’s even real.” David said happily.

“It went too well. Don’t you think?” I asked.

“Well now that you say something I am!” David continued to pace around and redo his outfit for dinner a few times. As it got closer, I changed into a nice cocktail dress. I stayed with a safe color of blue and David approved.

“I bet if I wore red, he would still approve.” I joked and David shook his head.

“Come on trouble maker.” David said taking my hand. I could feel his nervousness as his hand slightly shook. We made it to Will’s and Audra’s house. David stood in front of the door and slowly raised his hand to knock. The door opened and Dennis stood there.

“Good timing, he just sent me to get you.” Dennis said and we walked in. We followed Dennis to the dining room.

“Just in time my boy!” Clive stood and walked over. Everyone else was sat and watched us. He came over and grabbed my arms. He moved me from side to side. “David.” He looked over.

“It’s my fault. I want to make it something special, I’m sorry.” I said and Clive’s mouth changed from a hard line, into a smile.

“Of course.” Clive said and then snapped his fingers. “A gift.” He said and Dennis placed a box in his hands. He lightly placed it in mine and everyone seem to try to take a peek. I opened the box and saw a pearl necklace.

“Oh Clive, it’s beautiful. I can’t accept this.” I said looking at him.

“Call me dad, and you will.” He snapped his fingers and Dennis took the necklace from the box. I could almost feel Harmony’s glare as he put it on me.

“Thank you, I don’t know what to say.” I said as Clive clasped the necklace. I sat down next to David touching it on my neck. Clive sat next to me.

“You look beautiful.” David said. The table was silent as we all sat there.

“Did you receive my invitation?” Clive asked.

“For breakfast? Yes I did, I’m looking forward to it.” I said smiling.

“Good!” He said looking out over the table. He leaned in before continuing. “Are you going to make it special tonight?” Asking if we were planning our marking.

“Oh we have Bradly tonight.” I said.

“You both can’t watch your own child for one night?” Clive said looking at Harmony.

“Dad I…” George was caught off guard.

“He asked Clive.” Harmony said.

“He seems to have taken a liking to the … to uh Ryan.” George repeated and Clive stared at George.

“Ryan is telling me what it’s like to be human!” Bradly said happily and Clive was taken from his trance.

“She is!? Aren’t you a lucky boy.” Clive smiled at him.

“Dinner is served!” Audra appeared with a few people placing food on the table.

“Thank the goddess.” Will said as he reached over.

“William! Manners.” Clive said and Will slowly retracted his arm.

“My apologies everyone. I’m not sure what came over me.” Will said as David snickered.

“David.” Clive said and suddenly he was sitting straight. A server started to fill plates as directed by Clive. Everyone began to quietly eat.

“Oh this is delicious Audra, you’ve out done yourself again.” Clive said.

“Thank you so much.” Audra smiled from ear to ear. The food was absolutely to die for. Everything melted in your mouth. After the praise died down, it went back to awkward silence as we finished eating. Clive sat back almost silently judging.

“Would you like some dessert Clive?” Audra asked.

“Yes, that would be lovely. Some coffee too.” Clive smiled at her as she nodded and got up.

“How are things in Seattle?” George asked.

“Well. In fact everything is running smoothly and I’ve thought about taking a vacation.” Clive said and everyone looked surprised.

“R-really?” Will asked.

“Yes. I would need you and Audra to go for a week in my absence. Possibly David and Ryan as well if you feel you need that much support.” Clive said as almost a jab at him.

“They’re not even marked yet and you’re including her in your plan?” George suddenly asked.

“This matter doesn’t concern you. You had your chance to be apart of the business and you said no. Said the town needed your entire focus. Here these two are doing both. Your wife can’t even be bothered to stay behind to watch things! The sacrifices your mother made for our business and this town!” Suddenly Clive was quiet and I was shrinking back into my chair. Audra reappeared with desserts. “When I think about how weak she is, it makes me sick.” Clive stood and I looked at Harmony’s face. She looked down and I could see how red her face was. This was why she had told me to run. Not because she just hated I was human, to save me from possible berating. Clive walked off and I looked at David.

“Let’s go.” I whispered and he nodded.

“This has gone as expected.” David said standing.

“Are you coming?” I asked Bradly and he hopped out of his chair. He ran over and grabbed my open hand.

“What happened?” Audra asked as we left.